A LONG-running campaign by parents and youngsters in Kirkbymoorside for a skateboard park has been successful.

The town council agreed by one vote to allow the town's play areas association to carry out a £250,000 refurbishment of the Old Road playing field, provide equipment and build the skatepark.

Feelings ran high at the packed council meeting, with neighbours arguing that it would lead to anti-social behaviour.

But supporters, led by Sheila Ridley, a former town councillor and deputy mayor, said that unless a decision was made on the scheme to provide the park and revamp the play area, £70,000 of National Lottery funding would be lost.

Resident Glen Kilday said: "It will be a focal point for trouble."

But Mrs Ridley defended the park.

She said "We have assurances from the environmental health officer at Ryedale District Council that the type of equipment and location, and the nature of the buffer zones - trees and hedges - is such that it won't cause undue disturbance to neighbouring properties."